Selective catalyst reduction of nitrogen oxides with hydrogen

ABSTRACT

A system and method for reducing nitrous oxides in diesel exhaust with hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a palladium based catalyst. The catalyst comprises a compound represented by the formula: X % Pd—Y % V 2 O 5 /Z, where X is between about 0.1 to about 2.0, Y is between about 0.1 to about 7.0, and Z is an oxide support.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nitrogen oxides, in particular NO and NO₂ (NO_(x)), resulting from combustion processes continue to be a major source of air pollution. They contribute to photochemical smog, acid rain, ozone depletion, ground level ozone, and greenhouse effects. More than 95% of nitrogen oxide emissions are derived from two sources: ˜49% from mobile sources, such as vehicles, and ˜46% from stationary sources, such as power plants. Many technologies have been developed in an attempt to decrease such emissions.

Three-way catalysis is very effective for removing emissions from gasoline engines, where narrow band oxygen sensors afford closed loop control with an air: fuel ratio of about 14.07. Diesel engines, on the other hand, operate very lean and with a wide-band air: fuel ratio of about 14 to about 24. While diesel engines have considerable benefits to gasoline engines, due to the nature of diesel fuel and the compression ignition combustion process, diesel engines emit a high quantity of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions. Many catalysts useful for gasoline engines are not suitable for use in a diesel engine exhaust stream as a wider operating temperature window is required.

The current commercially available technology for reducing NO_(x) emissions from stationary sources is selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Ammonia (NH₃) is widely accepted as the reducing agent of choice. Similar SCR technology is also effectively applied to mobile sources, where NH₃ is usually generated by the thermal decomposition of urea. However, there are many commercial and logistical drawbacks, namely: (1) a separate tank and injection system is required, (2) several issues exist relating to NH₃ slip, (3) the difficulty of handling urea solutions during cold conditions, and (4) as of yet, no real infrastructure exists to widely deploy the necessary urea solution. These factors indicate the desirability of the development of an active NO_(x) reduction catalyst that makes use of other reductants, such as hydrogen. Hydrogen has been shown to be a promising reductant for NO_(x) under lean burn conditions and will most likely be available in automobiles from fuel processors for fuel cell applications, on-board reforming of diesel fuel, or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an emissions treatment system and methods for reducing contaminants in diesel exhaust streams containing nitrous oxides (NO_(x)). The system includes a catalytic converter having at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and an interior working environment adapted to receive and dispel exhaust. A catalyst is disposed in the interior working environment and comprises a compound represented by the formula: X % Pd—Y % V₂O₅/Z, where X is a weight percent between about 0.1 to about 2.0, Y is a weight percent between about 0.1 to about 7.0, and Z is a high surface area support material. A reducing agent is provided comprising H₂ and CO at a ratio of H₂: CO from about 1:1 to about 3:1. The reducing agent is mixed with diesel engine exhaust and the mixture is injected into the interior working environment of the converter where the catalyst reduces NO_(x), present in the exhaust.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates XRD patterns of the catalysts (a) Al₂O₃; (b) 20% TiO₂/Al₂O₃; (c) 5% V₂O₅/20% TiO₂/Al₂O₃; (d) 1% Pd-5% V ₂O₅TiO ₂/Al₂O₃; (e) 1% Pd/20% TiO₂/Al₂O₃; and (f) 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃;

FIG. 2 illustrates TPR profiles of 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ (upper) and 1% Pd/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ (lower) catalysts;

FIG. 3 illustrates NO conversion as a function of temperature over various catalysts. Reaction conditions: 0.1 g catalyst; total flow rate=200 ml/min; [NO]=500 ppm; [O₂=5%; [H₂]=4000 ppm; He=balance;

FIG. 4 illustrates H₂ conversion as a function of temperature over various catalysts. Reaction conditions: 0.1 g catalyst; total flow rate=200 ml/min; [NO]=500 ppm, [O₂]=5%; [H₂]=4000 ppm; He=balance;

FIG. 5 illustrates effect of space velocity on NO, H₂ conversions and N₂ selectivity for H₂-SCR over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst. •, 1.0×10⁵h⁻¹; ▪, 5.2×10⁵h⁻¹; O, 1.8×10⁶h⁻¹. Reaction condition: [NO]=500 ppm; [H₂]=4000 ppm; [O₂]=5%; He=balance;

FIG. 6 illustrates NO, H₂ conversions and N₂ selectivity as functions of temperature over various supported Pd based catalysts. Reaction conditions: 0.05 g catalyst; [NO]=500 ppm; [H₂]=4000 ppm; [O₂]=5%; He=balance; total flow rate=500 ml/min;

FIG. 7 illustrates NO conversion as a function of time on stream at 170° C. over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃(●); at 150° C. over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃(▴); and 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃(∘) catalysts for H₂-SCR. Reaction conditions: 0.05 g catalyst; [NO]=500 ppm; [H₂]=4000 ppm; [O₂]=5%; He=balance; total flow rate=500 ml/min;

FIG. 8 illustrates NO, H₂, CO conversions and N₂ selectivity as functions of temperature over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃catalyst on different feed compositions. H₂ Conversion (solid line), CO conversion (dashed line). Reaction conditions: 0.1 g catalyst; total flow rate=200 ml/min; [NO]=500 ppm; [O₂]=5%; [H₂]=2000-4000 ppm; [CO]=0-2000 ppm; He=balance;

FIG. 9 illustrates dependence of NO conversion rate on NO concentration on 1% Pd-5% V₂)O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 200° C. Reaction condition: 5 mg catalyst; [H₂]=4000 ppm; [CO]=500 ppm; [O₂]=5%; He=balance; total flow rate=500 ml/min;

FIG. 10 illustrates dependence of NO conversion rate on H₂ concentration for 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 200° C. Reaction condition: 5 mg catalyst; [NO]=500 ppm; [CO]=500 ppm; [O₂]=5%; He=balance; total flow rate=500 ml/min;

FIG. 11 illustrates dependence of NO conversion rate on CO concentration for 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 200° C. Reaction condition: 5 mg catalyst; [H₂]=4000 ppm; [NO]=500 ppm; [O₂]=5%; He=balance; total flow rate=500 ml/min;

FIG. 12 illustrates dependence of NO conversion rate on O₂ concentration for 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 200° C. Reaction condition: 5 mg catalyst; [H₂]=4000 ppm; [NO]=500 ppm; [CO]=500 ppm; He =balance; total flow rate=500 ml/min;

FIG. 13 illustrates effect of H₂O on NO conversion over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 200° C. Reaction condition: 0.05 g catalyst; [H₂]=4000 ppm; [NO]=500 ppm; [O₂]=5%; [H₂O]=2.3%; He=balance; total flow rate=500mi/min;

FIG. 14 illustrates effect of SO₂ on NO conversion over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 200° C. Reaction condition: 0.05 g catalyst; [H₂]=4000 ppm; [NO]=500 ppm; [O₂]=5%; [SO₂]=20 ppm; He=balance; total flow rate=500 ml/min;

FIG. 15 illustrates FTIR spectra obtained at different temperatures in a flow containing 4000 ppm H₂+500 ppm NO+5% O₂ over 1% Pd/TiO₂—Al₂O₃. The temperatures include: a) 150° C.; b) 200° C.; and c) 240° C.;

FIG. 16. illustrates FTIR spectra obtained at different temperatures in a flow containing 4000 ppm H₂+500 ppm NO+5% O₂ over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al20₃. The temperatures include: a) 150° C.; b) 200° C.; and c) 240° C.; and

FIG. 17 illustrates changes in the FTIR spectra of NH₃ and NH₄ ⁺upon switching the gas flow from (4000 ppm H₂+500 ppm NO+5% O₂) to (500 ppm NO+5% O₂) over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ catalyst. The time after switching gas flow is as follows: a) 0 min; b) 1.5 min; c) 3 min; and d) 10 min.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The present invention relates to an emissions treatment system for reducing contaminants in diesel exhaust streams containing nitrous oxides (NO_(x)). While the decomposition of NO_(x) to innocuous components is thermodynamically favored with the temperatures and pressures affiliated with diesel exhaust, the reactions are inhibited by high activation energies and require a catalyst to facilitate the decomposition. As is widely known, however, the performance of many catalysts deteriorates in the presence of oxygen. Various catalysts have been used to decompose NO_(x) and include precious metals, metallic oxides, zeolites, and similar materials fixed to a suitable carrier. The present invention is directed to the novel use of selective catalytic reduction of NO_(x) with hydrogen (H₂-SCR) using palladium. In preferred embodiments, the catalyst reduces the NO_(x) in-situ, and not as part of a NO_(x) adsorbing reaction.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides an emissions system and methods of reducing NO_(x) in lean-burn diesel engine exhaust. The system is operable throughout the wide range of normal operating temperatures of diesel engines, typically between about 125 to about 650° C., and has an efficiency of greater than about 87%, more preferably, greater than about 95%. In various embodiments, the system operates with the exhaust having a flow rate of between about 200 and about 700 kg/hr, and a space velocity through the interior working environment of between about 9,000 and about 70,000 hr⁻¹.

The system of the present invention includes a catalytic converter having at least one inlet, an outlet, and an interior working environment adapted to receive and dispel an exhaust. A catalyst is disposed in the interior working environment and comprises a compound represented by the formula: X % Pd—Y % V₂O₅/Z, where X is a weight percent between about 0.1 to about 2.0, Y is a weight percent between about 0.1 to about 7.0, and Z is a high surface area support material. The catalyst is incorporated into the exhaust system at such a position that yields optimum efficiencies with a fast light-off time period.

The support for the catalyst typically comprises a high surface area refractory metal oxide. Dispersed within the oxide layer is the palladium metal component. Without being bound by theory, the palladium promotes the oxidation and reduction of nitrogen species and is present in an amount of between about 0:1 to about 2% by weight of the catalyst. The catalyst coating thickness and supporting materials will vary according to the targeted reduction of NO_(x). Non-limiting examples of suitable oxide support materials include alumina, titania, zirconia; mixtures of alumina with one or more of titania, zirconia, and ceria; ceria coated on alumina; and titania coated on alumina. The metal oxide may also comprise a mixed oxide, such as silica-alumina, amorphous or crystalline aluminosilicates, alumina-zirconia, alumina chromia, and alumina ceria. Presently preferred metal oxides include gamma alumina and titania coated on alumina. In certain embodiments, the support material comprises a pillared interlayered clay (PILC), such as Ti-PILC. In various embodiments, the catalyst further comprises at least one promoter. Non-limiting examples of suitable promoters include: Ce, Mn, Zr, La, Gd, Nb, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and combinations thereof. Typically, the promoter, if any, is present in an amount between about 0.01 and about 20% by weight of the catalyst.

In various embodiments, the metal oxide will have a surface area of from about 50 to about 300 m²/g or more. In presently preferred embodiments, the oxide support material is present in an amount having a loading per unit volume of between about 0.5 to about 10 g/in³. As should be understood to those skilled in the art, the ratio of substrate length to diameter, or frontal surface area to volume, should be optimized based on the exhaust flow rate and the targeted NO_(x) reduction.

The SCR catalyst of the present invention can be in the form of self supporting catalyst particles, for example as a packed bed, or the catalyst can be supported on a metal or ceramic honeycomb structure, or the like. In other embodiments, the catalyst composition can be disposed as a washcoat or as a combination of washcoats on a ceramic or metallic substrate.

A reducing agent comprising H₂ and CO is provided to assist in the reduction reactions. In presently preferred embodiments, the reducing agent comprises a ratio of H2: CO of from about 1:1 to about 3:1, with the latter more preferable. In certain embodiments, hydrocarbons can be used in addition to or in place of the CO. The reducing agent is mixed with diesel engine exhaust and the mixture is injected into the interior working environment for the catalyst to reduce the nitrous oxides present in the exhaust. In certain embodiments, a mixing element is provided having a first input coupled to a reducing agent source, a second input coupled for receipt of diesel engine exhaust, and at least one output. The diesel engine exhaust mixed with the reducing agent is injected into the interior working environment of the converter where the catalyst reduces nitrous oxides present in the exhaust. In various embodiments, the reducing agent is in the form a reducing fuel that is produced on-board a vehicle. In this instance, a fuel reformer is provided to convert a sufficient amount of diesel fuel, oxygen, and moisture into H₂ and CO. In other embodiments, H₂ may also be provided from other sources, such as from a fuel cell application.

Catalyst Preparation and Activity Measurement

A 20wt % TiO₂-on-γ-Al₂O₃ support is prepared by the hydrolysis of a solution of Ti[O(CH₂)₃CH₃]₄ in the presence of γ-Al₂O₃ (PSD-350 grade from Aluminum Company of America, BET surface area of approximately 350 m²/g, 60-100 mesh). The solid sample is dried in air at about 500° C. for about 6 hours. 5% V₂O₅/20 wt % TiO₂-γ-Al₂O₃ is prepared by impregnation in 20% TiO₂-γ-Al₂O₃ with an aqueous solution of NH₄VO₃ in oxalic acid. A similar procedure is used to prepare 5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ and 5% V₂O₅/TiO₂ (P25, Degussa, BET surface area of 30.6 m²/g). After impregnation, the catalysts are dried at about 120° C. for about 12 hours and calcined at about 500° C. in oxygen for about 12 hours to decompose the ammonium salt into the corresponding oxide. Palladium is subsequently impregnated in 5% V₂O₅/20 wt % TiO₂-γ-Al₂O₃ and 20 wt % TiO₂-γ-Al₂O₃ using a Pd(NH₃)₄Cl₂ aqueous solution. The catalyst is dried at about 120° C. for about 12 hours and calcined at about 500° C. for about 6 hours in oxygen.

The catalytic activity measurements according to the present invention are carried out in a fixed-bed quartz reactor. A typical reactant gas composition comprises: 500 ppm NO, 4000 ppm H₂, 0-2000 ppm CO (when used), 5% O₂, and the balance He. A 100 mg sample is used in each run. The total flow rate is about 200 ml/min (under ambient conditions). Premixed gases (1.01% NO in He, 5.00% H₂ in He, and 1.0% CO in He) are readily available from Matheson Tri-Gas of Irving, Texas. Water vapor is generated by passing He through a heated saturator containing de-ionized water. The NO and NO₂ concentrations are continually monitored using a chemiluminescent NO/NO_(x) analyzer (for example, Thermo Environmental Instruments, Inc., Model 42C). The products are analyzed using a gas chromatograph (Shimadzu, 8A) with a 13X molecular sieve column for H₂, CO, and N₂ separation and Porapak Q column for N₂O. Ammonia formation is monitored by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). Typically, no ammonia is detected by FTIR in the lean burn conditions. The catalytic activity is based on the calculated NO_(x) conversion using the following formula. ${N\quad O_{x}\quad{conversion}} = {\frac{{{{inlet}{NO}}_{x}\quad({ppm})} - {{{outlet}{NO}}_{x}\quad({ppm})}}{{{inlet}{NO}}_{x}\quad({ppm})} \times 100(\%)}$ The N₂ selectivity is calculated as follows: ${N_{2}\quad{selectivity}} = {\frac{\left\lbrack N_{2} \right\rbrack}{\left\lbrack N_{2} \right\rbrack + \left\lbrack {N_{2}O} \right\rbrack} \times 100(\%)}$

Since the reactions are carried out at relatively low temperatures, part of the decrease in NO concentration can be attributed to the adsorption of NO onto the catalysts. Thus, to minimize this occurrence, the following is done at the beginning of each example: the catalyst is first purged with reactant gas until the inlet and outlet NO concentrations are equal (i.e., about 500 ppm). The temperature is subsequently raised to the desired level. At each reaction temperature, the NO conversion and product analysis is performed after allowing the reaction to reach steady state (about 1-2 hours, depending on the reaction).

The nitrogen balance is calculated for each step using the following equation: inlet [NO]=outlet [NO]+[N₂]+[N₂O]. Steady-state kinetic studies for the NO reduction by H₂ in the presence of CO and O₂ are carried out for the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst making use of a fixed-bed, quartz flow reactor, with 5 mg of catalyst used in each run. The NO concentration in an exhaust is simulated by blending different gaseous reactants. The typical reactant gas composition is as follows: 0-5000 ppm H₂, 100-500 ppm NO, 0-500 ppm CO, 1-5% O₂, and the balance He. The total flow rate is about 500 ml/min (under ambient conditions). The same instrumentation, as described above, is used throughout.

Catalyst Characterization

Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements are carried out on the catalysts of the present invention using a Rigaku Rotaflex D/Max-C system with a Cu Kα(γ, =0.1543 nm) radiation source. The samples are loaded with a depth of 1 mm. In each H₂-TPR (temperature-programmed reduction) experiment, a 50 mg sample is loaded into a quartz reactor and pretreated with an O₂/He (100 ml/min) flow at about 500° C. for about 0.5 hours. The sample is cooled to room temperature in an O₂/He flow. The reduction of the sample is carried out starting at room temperature to about 600° C. in a 5.32% H₂/N₂ flow (of about 40 ml/min) with a temperature ramp of about 10° C./min. The consumption of H₂ is monitored with the use of a thermal conductivity detector. Water produced during the reduction is trapped in a 5 A° molecular sieve column.

Infrared spectra are recorded on a Nicolet Impact 400 FTIR spectrometer with a TGS detector. The samples are prepared as a self-supporting wafer of 1.3 cm diameter. This is achieved by compressing 15 mg of the sample. The wafer is loaded into the IR cell (BaF₂ windows). The wafers are pre-treated at 573 K in a flow of high purity O₂/He for about ½ hour and stepwise cooled to room temperature. At each temperature step, the background spectrum is recorded in flowing O₂/He. This spectrum is subsequently subtracted from the sample spectrum obtained at the same temperature step. Thus, the IR absorption features that originated from the structure vibrations of the catalyst are eliminated from the sample spectra. IR spectra are recorded by accumulating 100 scans at a spectra resolution of 4 cm¹.

The XRD patterns of the catalysts are shown in FIG. 1. Crystalline PdO phases are not detected in all samples, which indicates that Pd is highly dispersed on the support. Four diffraction peaks with 2θ=25.3, 37.5, 39.4 and 48 respectively, are observed in the titania containing samples. These peaks originate from the anatase form of titania.

H₂-TPR profiles of 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ and 1% Pd/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared are shown in FIG. 2. All samples show one main peak, which can be assigned to the reduction of Pd (II) to Pd (0). For the V₂O₅ containing sample, the reduction peak temperature is 46° C. higher than that on V₂O₅-free sample. While not being bound by theory, it is believed that the presence of V₂O₅ retards the reduction of Pd oxides.

NO_(x) reduction on Pd based catalysts by H₂ in the presence of oxygen

The performance of a range of Pd-based catalysts is shown in FIG. 3. A maximum NO conversion of 98% is achieved at about 150° C. over a 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst. This reaction displays only one NO conversion peak. Under the same conditions, a 1% Pd/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst also shows a high NO conversion. However, two separate NO conversion peaks are observed at 150° C. and 240° C., respectively. While a maximum NO conversion of 80% is obtained over the 5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst, the peak conversion temperature is the same as the second NO conversion peak for the 1% Pd/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst. This may indicate that the second NO conversion peak may not depend on the Pd concentration. From FIG. 3, it can be seen that the addition of V₂O₅ to the 1% Pd/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst increases the NO conversion, especially at temperatures of around 200° C. Thus, the addition of V₂O₅ widens the high NO conversion temperature window to 140-250° C. (with about 80% NO conversion). The 1% Pd/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst exhibits a narrower NO conversion temperature window of 140° C.-1 80° C. Based on the investigated temperature range, the NO conversion order is as follows: 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅TiO₂/Al₂O₃ >1% Pd/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ >5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/A ₂O₃

FIG. 4 illustrates hydrogen conversions as a function of temperature on various TiO₂/Al₂O₃ supported catalysts. The H₂ conversion for each catalyst reaches 100% at the temperatures where the maximum NO conversion is observed. On the 1% Pd/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst, this is achieved at a temperature of 1 50° C. While for the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst, 98% H₂ conversion is reached at 150° C. The 5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst, on the other hand, reaches complete H₂ conversion only at 240° C.

For the presently preferred catalyst, 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃, the NO-H₂—O₂ reaction activities including NO conversion, H₂ conversion, and N₂ selectivity, at various space velocities are shown in FIG. 5. Generally, the space velocity significantly influences the low temperature NO conversion, not the NO conversion in the high temperature range. As the space velocity is increased (1.0×10⁵ to 1.8×10⁶h⁻¹), the NO conversion decreases, and NO conversion maximum shifts toward a higher temperature (about 150° C.-200° C.). H₂ conversion exhibits a similar trend, namely as the space velocity increases, H₂ conversion decreases. The corresponding 100% H₂ conversion temperature also increases. No significant space velocity effects are visible on the N₂ selectivity at temperatures below 200° C. A significant decrease in N₂ selectivity is observed in the temperature range 200° C.-300° C.

FIG. 6 shows the conversions of NO and H₂, as well as the N₂ selectivity of various supported Pd catalysts as a function of temperature. As shown, at low temperatures (i.e., less than about 170° C.), the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst has a very low activity, while 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst and 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ catalyst display relatively high activities under the same conditions.

In the high temperature range (i.e., greater than about 240° C.), all of the samples show similar activities. The order of increasing activity of these Pd based catalysts is: 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ >1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ >1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂. The same trend is observed for H₂ conversion. The N₂ selectivity of different catalysts is also shown in FIG. 6; all samples show a similar N₂ selectivity.

FIG. 7 illustrates the NO conversion as a function of reaction time for catalysts 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ (at 150° C. and 170° C.) and 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂-Al₂O₃ (at 150° C.). At 150° C., the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst has a high NO conversion rate to reach steady state in only 1 hour. A similar trend is observed for the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 170° C. At 150° C., however, the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ catalyst displays a slow NO conversion rate and only reaches 60% NO conversion after three hours. The 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst has a higher conversion rate, indicating that modification of Al₂O₃ with titania has a positive effect on the conversion rates of the catalyst.

NO_(x) reduction on Pd based catalysts by H₂ and CO in the presence of oxygen

In various embodiments, the present invention contemplates an emissions system using CO in the H₂-SCR process. FIG. 8 illustrates the influence of CO on the H₂-SCR reaction over the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst with the total reductant concentration at about 4000 ppm. This aspect of the present invention surprisingly indicates that the presence of CO decreases the NO conversion, especially in the low temperature range. This result differs from previous theories that predicted enhancement by CO on Pd/TiO₂/Al₂O₃. As the CO concentration is increased, the temperature of maximum NO conversion shifts from 150° C. to 200° C. The presence of CO inhibits the H₂ oxidation reaction as the temperature to reach complete oxidation of H₂ increases from 170° C. to 200° C. as CO is added to the feed gas. The effect of CO on N₂ selectivity is very complex in the low temperature range, while at high temperatures the N₂ selectivity appears to be independent of the presence of CO.

Kinetics studies for H₂-SCR in the presence of CO and excess O₂ in a differential reactor

To determine the reaction order with respect to NO, the concentrations of H₂, CO, and O₂ are kept constant. The concentration of NO is subsequently varied from 100 ppm to 500 ppm. Similarly, to determine the reaction order with respect to H₂, the concentration of NO and CO are kept constant, while varying the concentration of H₂ between 1000 ppm and 5000 ppm. The flow rate is about 500 ml/min and only 5 mg of catalyst is used, with less than 20% NO conversion obtained at 200° C. Thus, the reactor can be treated as a differential reactor. Experimental results of the rate of NO conversion as a function of NO, CO, H₂, and O₂ concentrations are presented in FIG. 9-12. FIG. 9 shows that the rate of NO conversion increases linearly as a function of NO concentration. The reaction rate of NO conversion as a function of reactant concentrations can be expressed in Equation 1 as follows: r_(NO)=−k_(a)[NO]^(x)[H₂]^(y)[CO]^(x)][O₂]^(m)  (1) where r_(NO) is the SCR rate, k_(a) is the apparent rate constant, and x, y, z, and m are reaction order for NO, H₂, CO, and O₂, respectively. According to FIG. 9, the reaction order (x) with respect to NO is 0.92, thus making this reaction close to first-order.

The rate of NO conversion as a function of H₂ concentration is shown in FIG. 10, and is found to increase with increasing H₂ concentrations. The reaction order (y) with respect to the H₂ concentration is calculated to be 0.6. FIG. 11 shows the rate of NO conversion as a function of CO concentration. The rate of NO conversion decreases with CO concentration. Thus, CO inhibits the reaction, which can be attributed to the competitive adsorption between NO and H₂. The reaction order (z) with respect to CO concentration is calculated to be −0.18. The rate of NO conversion as a function of O₂ concentration is shown in FIG. 12 (500 ppm NO, 4000 ppm H₂, 500 ppm CO). When the O₂concentration increases from about 2% to 10%, the NO consumption rate slightly decreases. The reaction order (m) with respect to O₂ is calculated to be −0.04.

According to the above results, the H₂-SCR reaction in the presence of CO and excess O₂ can be considered to be approximately first-order with respect to NO, 0.6-order to H₂, −0.18-order to CO and −0.04-order to O₂. The rate of NO conversion can be expressed in Equation 2 as follows: r_(NO)=−k_(a)[NO][H₂]^(0.6)[CO]^(−0.18)[O₂]^(−0.04)  (2) Effects of Water and SO₂ on the H₂-SCR reaction

Water vapor is a major component in diesel engine exhaust and often leads to catalyst deactivation. Resistance of the NO_(x) abatement catalyst to deactivation by water vapor is an important factor. FIG. 13 shows the effect of H₂O on the SCR activity of the Pd-V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ catalyst. It should be noted that before the addition of water, the SCR reaction is allowed to stabilize for one hour at 200° C.

The addition of 2.3% H₂O affects only a barely detectable decrease in the NO conversion. Upon removal of the water vapor, the activity is rapidly restored to its original level. The effect of SO₂ on the SCR activity is another important factor in the H₂-SCR reaction due to the presence, although very small, of sulfur in the diesel fuel. FIG. 14 indicates the effect of SO₂ on SCR activity of the Pd-V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ catalyst. Results indicate that a 20 ppm SO₂ concentration at 200° C. rapidly decreases the NO conversion rate within the first 2 hours of the reaction, and the reaction slowly stabilizes to yield a 46% conversion (down from 85%) in about 4 hours. Removal of the SO₂ feed restored the activity to about 90%.

FTIR Studies

FIG. 15 shows the FTIR spectra obtained at 150° C., 200° C., and 240° C. (4000 ppm H₂+500 ppm NO+5% O₂) over the 1% Pd/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ catalyst. At 150° C., two broad peaks are present at 1600 cm⁻¹ and 1300 cm⁻¹. The various bands between 1600-1550 cm⁻¹ and 1300 cm⁻¹ observed may be assigned to the asymmetric and symmetric stretching modes of variously coordinated nitrates. The bands at 1904 cm⁻¹ and 1848 cm⁻¹ are attributed to gas phase or weakly adsorbed NO. The band at 1610 cm⁻¹ can be assigned to adsorbed NO₂. The band at 1270 cm⁻¹ is attributed to the deformation modes of adsorbed NH₃. Another band at 1620 cm⁻¹ due to the deformation modes is barely detected because of overlapping by the band for nitrate. A very weak band at 1740 cm⁻¹ may be assigned to Pd⁰—NO. The intensity of all the bands associated with nitrates and nitrite decreases as the temperature is increased from 150 to 240° C. while the band at 1270 cm⁻¹ due to adsorbed NH₃ intensifies and dominates at high temperatures.

The corresponding FTIR spectra obtained over 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ are shown in FIG. 16. At 150° C. (spectrum of FIG. 16), the bands due to Pd⁰—NO (1740 cm⁻¹), gas phase or weakly adsorbed NO (1904 and 1837 cm⁻¹), NO₂ (1611 cm⁻¹), and nitrate (1583, 1348, and 1300 cm⁻¹) are also observed similar to the corresponding spectra in FIG. 15. Two new weak bands at 1460 and 1680 cm⁻¹ are observed, which are assigned to the symmetric and asymmetric bending modes of NH₄ ⁺. With increasing temperature, the bands related to nitrates/nitrite decrease significantly, while the bands related to ammonium and ammonia increase first at 200° C. and decrease slightly at 240° C. As the temperature is increased from 150° C. to 240° C., two significant differences are observed. First, the intensity of the bands increases markedly due to NH₄ ⁺. Second, a new band at 1510 cm⁻¹ is formed due to amide (NH₂). From FIGS. 15 and 16, it can be seen that a significant amount of NH₄ ⁺is formed at temperatures greater than about 200° C. on 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ compared to that on 1% Pd/TiO₂—Al₂O₃.

In order to study the reactivity of NH₄ ⁺and NH₃ with NO in the presence of O₂, FTIR spectra (FIG. 17) are obtained over the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃ catalyst at 200° C. following a switch from a feed gas containing 4000 ppm H₂, 500 ppm NO, and 5% O₂, to one containing 500 ppm NO and 5% O₂. After 1.5 min, the band at 1460 cm¹ due to NH₄ ⁺almost disappears (due to reaction with NO+O₂), while the band at 1270 cm⁻¹, due to NH₃, has a slight variation. The result indicates that NH₄ ⁺is more reactive than NH₃ in the SCR reaction. After about 10 min, both NH₄ ⁺and NH₃ peaks disappear, indicating that both species can react with NO+O₂ at different rates.

Thus, in various embodiments, the 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst offers significantly high NO conversions using H₂ and CO as a reducing agent in the presence of excess oxygen and at a very high space velocity. Compared to others, this catalyst exhibits a higher NO reduction activity as well as a wider operating temperature window.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An emissions system for reducing nitrous oxides (NO_(x)) in lean-burn diesel engine exhaust, the system comprising: a catalytic converter having at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and an interior working environment adapted to receive and dispel an exhaust; a source of a reducing agent comprising H₂ and CO; a catalyst disposed in the interior working environment, the catalyst comprising a compound represented by the formula: X % Pd—Y % V₂O₅/Z, where X is a weight percent between about 0.1 to about 2.0, Y is a weight percent between about 0.1 to about 7.0, and Z is a high surface area oxide support material, and a mixing element having a first input coupled to the reducing agent source, a second input coupled for receipt of diesel engine exhaust, and an output for injecting the diesel engine exhaust mixed with the reducing agent into the interior working environment of the converter where the catalyst reduces nitrous oxides present in the exhaust.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the oxide support material is selected from the group consisting of TiO₂, Al₂O₃, TiO₂—Al₂O₃, Zeolites, Ti-PILC, and combinations thereof.
 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the oxide support material comprises TiO₂—Al₂O₃.
 4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the oxide support material is present in an amount having a loading per unit volume of between about 0.5 to about 10 g/in³.
 5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃.
 6. A system according to claim 1, having a NO_(x), reduction efficiency of at least about 87%.
 7. A system according to claim 6, having a NO_(x) reduction efficiency of greater than about 95%.
 8. A system according to claim 1, operating at a temperature between about 125 and about 650° C.
 9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent comprises a ratio of H₂: CO of about 3:1.
 10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent further comprises at least one hydrocarbon.
 11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a fuel reformer located on-board a vehicle for producing the reducing agent by converting diesel fuel, oxygen, and moisture into H₂ and CO.
 12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst further comprises at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of: Ce, Mn, Zr, La, Gd, Nb, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and combinations thereof.
 13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one promoter is present in an amount between about 0.01 to about 20% by weight.
 14. A system according to claim 1, operating with the exhaust having a space velocity through the interior working environment of between about 9,000 and about 70,000 hr⁻¹.
 15. A system according to claim 1, operating with the exhaust having a flow rate of between about 200 and about 700 kg/hr.
 16. A system according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a honeycomb structure.
 17. A method of reducing nitrous oxides (NO_(x)) in lean burn diesel engine exhaust, the method comprising: providing a catalytic converter having at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and an interior working environment housing a catalyst and configured to receive and dispel exhaust; mixing a diesel engine exhaust with a reducing agent comprising H₂ and CO; and injecting the mixture into the interior working environment of the converter, wherein nitrous oxides present in the exhaust are reduced by the catalyst comprising a compound represented by the formula: X % Pd—Y % V₂O₅/Z, where X is a weight percent between about 0.1 to about 2.0, Y is a weight percent between about 0.1 to about 7.0, and Z is a high surface area oxide support material.
 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the catalyst comprises 1% Pd-5% V₂O₅/TiO₂—Al₂O₃.
 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the reducing agent comprises H₂ and CO at a ratio of about 3:1.
 20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the catalyst further comprises at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of: Ce, Mn, Zr, La, Gd, Nb, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and combinations thereof.
 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one promoter is present in an amount between about 0.01 to about 20% by weight. 